Exhibiting and advertising apparatus.



H. REIGHENBAGH.

EXHIBITING AND ADVERTISING APPARATUS.

APPLICATION FILED APR. 27, 1910.

Patented Mar. 30, 1915.

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H. REIGHENBAGH. EXHIBITING'AND ADVERTISING APPARATUS.

APPLIGATION FILED APR.27, 1910.

-1,1 33,504, Patented Mar. 30, 1915.

4 SHEETSSHEET 2.

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H. REIGHENBAGH.

EXHIBITING AND ADVERTISING APPARATUS.

APPLICATION FILED AIRQ27, 1910.

Patented Mar. 30, 1915.

mvmron Henry Rezlckenbach W/TWESSES W M C A TTORNEYS THE NORRIS PETERS Ca. PHOTG-LITHQ, WASHINGTON. D. C.

H. REICHBNBAOH. BXHIBITING AND ADVERTISING APPARATUS.

APPLIGATION FILED APR. 27, 1910.

Patented Mar. 30, 1915.

m m MM n M m J w M iu w m E L E P. w M m A TTOHNEYS THE NORRIS PETERS CO..PHOTO-LITHO., WASHINGTON D. Q

HENRY REICHENBACH,.OF NEW YORK, N. Y.

EXHIBITING- AND ADVERTISING APPARATUS.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented Mar. 30, 1915.

Application filed April 27, 1910. Serial No. 558,068.

To all whom it may concern Be it known that I, HENRY REIGHENBAGH, a citizen of the United States, residing in the city of New York, borough of Manhattan, county and State of New York, have invented a certain new and useful Exhibiting and Advertising Apparatus, of which i the following is a specification.

This invention is an exhibiting and advertising apparatus, and among the features of novelty embodied therein are, first, a plurality of traveling webs or aprons having painted or otherwise illustrated thereon certain scenes or advertisements, or combinations thereof, said webs or aprons, in their preferred form of construction and operation, being wound on shafts or spools and adapted to be wound on cooperating spools, whereupon by a reversal of the mechanism the unwinding and winding operation is reversed; second, a movable track or treadway, preferably endless, cooperating with a car, positioned in front of the webs or aprons, whereby said car is given the effect of moving relative tothe scenes; third, movable bodies, preferably in the form of air ships, suspended from above so as to give the efiect that they move through the air without connection with the other parts of the apparatus; fourth, means for displaying and moving merchandise; fifth, a curtain for concealing the various movable parts of the apparatus, during which concealment a phonograph or equivalent device is operated either to entertain the audience or to advertise the merchandise; and finally, novel mechanism for operating, reversing and controlling the several mechanisms.

Other features of the invention, as well as their functions, mode of operation, and

advantages will appear from the following detailed description when read in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, wherein-- Figure 1 is a front elevation, partly broken away and in section, of an exhibiting and advertising apparatus constructed in accordance with this invention. Fig. 2 is a plan view with parts broken away and shown in horizontal section. Fig. 3 is a vertical cross section on the line 33 of Fig. 2 looking in the direction of the arrow. Fig. 4 is a horizontal section, partly in plan, illustrating one of the winding spools for the traveling webs, and an endless driving mecha- -ous other parts of the apparatus.

nism adapted to cooperate with a narrow band from which the scenery or advertising web is suspended, whereby an endless driving belt is adapted to impart motion to the scenery web which is to be coiled upon and uncoiled from cooperating spools. Fig. 5 is an elevation of part of the mechanism shown in Fig. 4. Figs. 6, 7 8, and 9 represent different positions of the means for operating the curtain so as to raise said curtain, lower it, and permit it to remain in its raised or lowered position for certain predetermined times. Fig. 10 is a diagrammatic view illustrating one position of the electrically operated reversing mechanism whereby the flexible webs may be moved in one direction. Fig. 11 is a similar diagrammatic view of the electrically operated reversing mechanism so that the flexible webs will remain at rest while the phonograph, or other musical device, is in operation.

A designates a platform or stage supported in a suitable raised position by appropriate means so as to leave a space, a, below the platform, which space accommodates a motor or engine, B, and suitable mechanism for driving the scenery webs and vari- At the front part of the stage or platform the space, a, is concealed by a front wall, C, and from this front wall rises a proscenium, D, the latter having an opening or proscenium arch, cZ, through which the spectators may view the vehicle, E, and the scenery or advertising matter on a plurality of traveling webs, shown in Figs. 2 and 3 as consisting of webs F, G, H, I, J.

I have shown a series of five webs, each of which should have appropriate scenery depicted thereon, as shown in Fig. 1, but it is evident that the number of webs may be increased or decreased as desired, and that said webs may be provided with advertising matter, or any other desired pictures or information to be conveyed to an audience. The webs, F to J, inclusive, are of varying heights so that the web, Gr, will be exposed in rear of the web, F, H in rear of the web, G, and so on throughout the series, but at the back of the apparatus is provided a background, K, which extends above the scenery or advertising webs so as to be eX- posed to View through the proscenium arch, said background, K, being supported in a stationary position by any suitable means. Each web, F to J, inclusive, is supported by two spools, L, L, so that the web may be coiled upon one spool at the same time it is uncoiled from the other-spool. Said webs are adapted to be driven at different speeds, and for this reason, the webs which travel at the highest speed are considerably longer than the slow speed Webs, as shown in Fig. 2, but all the webs are operated simultaneously by a suitable form of driving mechanism, said driving mechanism being shown in Fig. 2 as consisting of endless sprocket chains and sprocket wheels, although it is evident that other forms of gearing may be adopted without departing from the spirit of the invention. The shafts of spools, L, are extended below platform, A, so as to receive sprocket wheels, Z, and with these sprocket wheels engages an endless driving chain, M, the latter being operated from one of the sprocket wheels, Z, the shaft of which is provided at its lower end with a bevel gear, m, which meshes with another bevel gear, m, on countershaft, M, the latter being journaled in suitable standards, m as clearly shown in Fig. 3 of the drawings. The endless sprocket chain, M, engages, also, with the direction sprocket wheel, a, as shown in Fig. 2, and, furthermore, the sprocket chain, M, engages with a larger sprocket wheel, N, the shaft, 11., of which is adapted to operate a short sprocket chain, N, the latter operating a shaft of one of the spools, L, whereby all the spools, L, are driven in the same direction and at the required speeds. The shaft, 71., which is operated by the sprocket, N, is provided, also, with a sprocket wheel, 0, shown in dotted lines in Fig. 2, and this sprocket wheel, 0, operates a sprocket chain, 0, which extends lengthwise beneath the platform, as shown in full and dotted lines in Fig. 2, for the purpose of operating a sprocket wheel, 0, on a short countershaft, O, at the opposite end portion of the stage, and from this shaft, O,is driven a sprocket chain, 0 adapted to mesh with sprocket wheels on the shafts of spoools, L, in the same manner as the sprocket chain, M, engages with the shafts of spools, L, whereby the sprocket chains, 0, 0 are adapted to operate the spools at the left hand of the stage in a similar manner that the sprocket chain, M, is adapted to operate the spools, L, at the right hand of the stage.

The countershaft, M, is provided with clutch sections, P, P, which are mounted loosely thereon and between these clutch sections, P, P, is a sliding clutch section, P the latter being splined or feathered to countershaft, M, and movable into and out of engagement with clutch sections, P, P, or to an idle position intermediate said clutch sections so as to be free therefrom. The countershaft, M, is driven in one direction from the shaft, 6, of motor, B, by a straight belt, Q, which'engages with clutch section, P. With the other clutch section, P engages a crossed belt, Q, driven, also, from motor shaft, 12, all as clearly shown in Figs. 2 and 3, whereby belts,Q or Q, are adapted to drive countershaft, M, in one direction or the other according to the position of clutch section, P when 'itengages with either of the clutch sections, P or P.

A series of supporting members, preferably 1n the form of horizontal parallel bars, R, are secured in fixed positions above stage, A, and in a horizontal plane above the edge of the proscenium opening, cl, so that the bars, R, are not visible from the front of the apparatus. Each bar, R, is provided with a depending rib, r, against which is adapt ed to travel an endless driving belt, R, composed of leather, rubber fabric, or any other suitable flexible material. This driving-belt, R, is provided with projections, 7', adapted to engage frictionally with a movable band, S, composed of fabric or other fiexible material. This movable band is .operatively connected with one of the webs, F to J, incluslve, by comparatively thin or fine wires, cords, or other connecting -means, S, whereby the web is adapted to be suspended from the flexible traveling band, S. It will be understoodthat one of the bands, S, a series of cords or Wires, S, and an endless driving belt, R, is, associated with each of the flexible scenery webs, F to J, inclusive, and in operatlon the scenery web is precluded from sagging from its weight intermediate the pa r of cooperating spools, L, L, by reason of the band, S, and the suspension cords or wires, S. The belt,'R, is guided over suitable rollers, r and it extends around'the spools, L, L, so that the belt is driven from one spool or the other- The belt, R, is adapted to exert frictional contact upon the moving band, S, which travels with the curtain that is suspended therefrom, andthis frictional contact is secured by employing friction rollers, S composed preferably of rubber or other appropriate material, and supported for rotation on the bar or rail, B, said friction rollers having flanges, at. their lower edges, which flanges are adapted to fit below the driving belt, B,

so as to preclude sagging of said'driving belt by the weight thereof. It will be understood'that the band, S, the belt, R, and the scenery web are operated by the motion of one spool or the other; that the endless belt, R, is pressed into close frictional contact with theband, S, by the rollers, S which are composed of material adapted to secure good frictional contact with the, belt, R; that'the frictional contact between-the belt, R, and the band, S, is increased by pressing the projections, r, of the belt into the material of theband, S,'and that the i av"- belt, R, cannot drop below a certain predetermined position by reason of the flanges, 8 of therollers, S fitting beneath the lower edge of said driving belt. The band, S, with the suspension wires or cords, S, and the flexible scenery web are adapted to be uncoiled from one spool and to be coiled upon the other spool, but the belt, R, travels around the two spools so as to be driven by one or the other of them, and it is adapted for such frictional engagement with the band, S, that said belt will assist in driving thescenery web, while at the same time, it cooperates with the band, S, in a way to preclude sagging of the scenery web.

From the foregoing description it is apparent that the band, S, is guided across and over the platform by theirib, 1', of the bar or rail, B, so that the sceneryweb will be guided in a proper direction over the stage. At the lower edge of each suspended flexible web is a panel board, T, positioned directly in rear of the web, said panel board, T, being provided with a row of electric incandescent lamps, t, as shown in full and dotted lines-in Fig. 3 and in full lines in Fig. 2. Obviously, the globes of the incandescent lamps may be dift'erently colored, and suitable mechanism may be employed for lighting up certain differently colored globes at diflerent times, but as these features do not constitute an essential part of the present invention, I have not considered it necessary to illustrate the switch mechanism for controlling-the flow of current into the different colored lamps.

The front part of stage, A, is provided with a longitudinal slot, 0, see Fig. 2, and within this slot operates the upper'part of an endless traveling track, U. This track consists of an endless carrier, 0, in the form of a belt or apron adapted to travel around suitable drums, c 0 the drum, 0 being secured rigidly to the countershaft, M, see Fig. 1. The endless conveyer, 0, 1s provided with a series of cross ties, u, and sections, u, of rails, two of the rail sections being attached firmly to each of the ties, u, and said ties being secured firmly to the endless conveyer, 0, whereby an endless sectional track is provided which is adapted to travel easily around the drums, c 0 for the purpose of securing a moving track adapted to travel in the same direction as flexible webs, F to J, inclusive.

The vehicle, E, is shown asa railway car having observation platforms at its respective ends, and said car has wheels, 6, adapted for frictional engagement with the sectional rails, u, of the traveling track, U, whereby the wheels, 6, of the car or vehicle will be rotated by frictional contact with the rails of the track when the latter is moving lengthwise of the stage or platform. The car, E, is adapted to be anchored in position at one end or the other of the platform so that the car will remain in a stationary position while the track is moving, and one end of said car will be visible at an edge of the proscenium so that the car will be in the view of the spectators. Any suitable means may be employed for retaining the vehicle or car in its proper position, but as shown in Figs. 1 and 2, I employ the latch devices indicated at V, V. Each latch is pivoted to a bracket, 2;, and is provided with a hook, 'v, the latter being adapted for engagement with the car or vehicle. The latch is held normally in a raised position by spring, 12 and extending upwardly from the latch is a short arm, '0 which is connected by a cord or rod, w, to a tripping device, V There are two of these tripping devices provided, one for each of the latches, V or V, and said tripping devices are in the path of releasing projections, 11;, which are provided at the lower edge of a drop curtain, W. Said drop curtain is guided 'over a suitable roller, w, provided at the upper rear part of the proscenium, D, and the curtain is thus guided for movement in rear of the proscenium, it being preferred to weight the lower edge of the curtain by providing a cross bar, 10 in said lower edge. Obviously, the ends of the cross bar, 1.0 may be extended to form the releasing devices, 10, and when the curtain is lowered so as to cut off the view of the scenery and advertising matter on the moving webs through the proscenium opening, cl, then the releasing projections, w, are adapted for engagement with the tripping devices, V whereby the latch, V, or V, is released from the car or vehicle, so that said car or vehicle may be moved by the endless track from one side of the stage to the other, the reversal in the position of the car being efl'ected when the curtain is lowered. The means for raising and lowering the curtain at the required time will now be described.

To the upper edge of curtain, WV, is connccted an operating cord or chain, X, which runs over guide pulleys, w, 00, m and thence around roller, 'w, said operating cord being substantially endless and provided with a stud or projection, X. The projection, X, is adapted to lie in the path of a dog, Y, which is pivotally connected at g to an endless chain or belt, Y, the latter running around pulleys, y, 3 one of said pulleys, as y, being driven continuously from a suitable part of the apparatus, as for example, by means of a belt or sprocket chain, Y whereby the belt or chain, Y, is continuously operated. The dog, Y, is adapted to be shifted out of the path of the projection, X, on the curtain operating cord by means of a double beveled trip, Y which. is pivoted by a pin, Y, said trip having armatures, Y Y, adapted to be attracted by magnets, Y Y", in an electric circuit which includes contacts, Y Y, with which is adapted to engage a contact, Y on a lever 20, the latter being adapted for frictional engagement with a roll of one web, as G. When the size of the roll reaches a predetermined limit by winding the flexible web upon the spool so that the web is nearly unwound from one spool and wound upon the companion spool, the curtain, W, is adapted to be dropped in rear of the prosoenium'for. the purpose of concealing the scenery Webs from the view of the audience. This is accomplished by the lever 20 being moved by the web wound upon the spool, L, so as to cause contact, Y, to make contact,

Y and energize magnet, Y, to attract trip,-

Y to the positions of Fig. 6, so that one I of its faces will be in the path of the dog, Y.

As the belt or sprocket chain, Y, moves toward the beveled trip, Y the dog will be brought into engagement with said trip so as to be moved to a position where on the next downward movement of said dog with the belt, Y, said dog will engage with the projection, X, as shown in Fig. 7, for the purpose of moving said pro ection 1n a downward direction, whereby the cord, X, will be operated for the purpose of lowering the curtain across the proscenium, but asthe dog moves the pro ection below the pulley, :12, said dog will be disengaged rroni the projection, thus allowlng. the (3111122111110 come to a stop, as will be apparent by an inspection of Fig. 8. WVhen the curtain is to be raised, the position of the trlp, Y 1s changed so that the other face of the trip is thus presented to the path of the dog for the purpose of swinging salddog to a reversed position. As the dog when reversed to the position of Fig. 9, moves upwardly,

it will catch below the projection, K, and operate to raise the projection and pull on the cord, X, in an opposite direction, for the purpose of pulling upon the curtain,W, and moving the same to a raised position, see Figs. 3 and 6.' As the dog travels upwardly and passes thepulley below upper pulley, l/ it will be moved away from the projection, X, so that the dog Wlll be d sengaged from the pin, X, and the curtain will be at rest in a raised position and on the next downward movement of the dog after passing upper pulley, if, the dog will ride clear of the projection, X, so that the curtain will stay raised. The belt, Y, will continue to operate for the purpose of can rying the dog, Y, with it, and without affect ing the position of the projection, X, until said dog, Y, is reversed by changing the position of the trip, Y, which trip is shifted by the action of the electrically operated mechanism. r

The operation of magnets, Y Y, in the circuit of the electrically operated mechaigis'sas'oa:

nism depend upon the position of lever 22'. controlled by lever 20, and the movement of said lever 20 in turn is controllable by an increase or decrease in the diameter of the coiled web on the spool. I Trip, Y is movable to two positions, one shown in Figs. 6 and 8, and the other shown in F igs. 7 and 9, and these positions are responsive to the positions of lever 20 held in contact with the coiled web on one spool. As the web is uncoiled from the spool so that the diameter is decreased from the larger dotted circle'to the full line smaller circle in FigsJlO and 11, then lever 20 is shifted toward the axis of the roll and one magnet is energized to shift trip, Y to one of two positions, so that the curtain will be lowered and raised with an interval of dwell for the phonograph to play, and the driving mechanism reversed to drive the webs in the opposite direction, the circuit being afterward broken torelease the trip. As the web is wound upon the roll so that its diameter is increased from the longer dotted line circle of Figs. 10 and 11 to the larger full line circle in the same figures, lever 20 is again operated so as to again shift the trip and make it assume the other ofits two positions, thereby again reversing the driving mechanism and operating to lower and raise the curtain with an interval of rest or dwell between the periods of lowering and raising for the phonograph to play.

While the curtain is in a lowered position, the scenery webs are reversed and the car, E,

- this time entertainment of the audience is effected by. the operation of a musical instrument, such as aiphonograph 10, the trumpet 11 of which is operatively connected with a reproducer 12 adapted to travel upon the phonograph cylinder when the motor 13 is operated. The motor is man electric circuit which is adapted to be closed by the movement of car, E, when shifted from one side of the stage to the other, said closing of the circuit by the shifting of the car being effected by said car coming into contact with one of two circuit closers 14, 14:. Each circuit closer is adapted to make a contact 15' or 15 in a conductor 16 or 16 leadingto phonograph motor 13, from which extends its spool, L, at the right of the apparatus,

the clutch, P is shifted, at a certain predetermined time, to an idle position midway between clutch sections, P, P, by the following mechanism. 'A lever 20-is provided with a shoe 21 adapted to ride upon the surface of the web which is coiled on one of the spools, L, see Figs. 10 and 11. Saidlever "1'30 20 is operatively connected with a three;

armed shipping lever 22, one of the arms of P The shipping lever 22 has a stud 22 adapted to be engaged by a jaw of the lever 20, see Figs. 2, 10 and 11. The other two arms of the shipping lever 22 form the armatures 23, 24 for electro magnets 25, 26,

respectively, and said arms 23, 24 are, also,

adapted to operate'contacts 27, 28, respectively. When the lever 22 is operated to move the clutch, P to a neutral position between clutch sections, P, P, arm 24 of said lever is adapted to engage with contact 28 for the purpose of closing an electric circuit leading to a contact 29 which is adjacent to another contact 30 of the battery 18. Now, when the phonograph completes its travel to the right in Fig. 2, and the curtain is ready to be raised, contact 31 of the phonograph engages contact 30, and the phonograph is thus automatically stopped, and the circuit is completed through magnet 26, which attracts the arm 24 and moves shipper lever 22 in a direction to force the clutch, P into engagement with the clutch section, P, thus moving the clutch from its idle position into engagement with clutch section, P, for the purpose of driving the spools, L, in an opposite direction, whereupon the flexible webs will be wound upon the spools, L. V

In the positions of the parts shown in Fig. 2, the flexible webs are supposed to be moving in the direction of the arrow, 2'. 6., they are being coiled upon spools, L, and uncoiled from spools, L, during which operation the clutch, P is in engagement with clutch section, P, so that the countershaft, M, will be driven in one direction by the belt, Q, and the shipper lever is held in the position shown by the action of magnet 25 on the armature 23 of said shipper lever, but as the size of the roll on one of the spools, L, increases, at a time when the web is nearly uncoiled from one spool, L, and wound upon the spool adjacent to the lever 20, and the curtain having been lowered, and the car reversed, then said lever is moved to operate shipper lever 22 and move the clutch, P, out of engagement with clutch, P, and to an idle position between the clutch sections, P, P, so that the phonograph will play and the parts be placed in position for reversal. V

In connection with the moving scenery I employ a series ofobjects 32 somewhat resembling aerocrafts adapted to be moved across the upper part of the proscenium, in frontvof web, F, and within the view of the audience. Each object 32 is suspended from an arm 33 which moves in a groove 34 forming an endless pathway in a supplemental frame 35 secured in the upper part of the apparatus and back of the upper part of the proscenium. The arms 35 are adapted to travel in the endless groove 34 by the action of a finger 36 on an endless sprocket chain 37, the latter passing over sprocket wheels 38, 39, one of said sprocket wheels being on a shaft having a pulley 40 driven 7o by a belt 41 from a countershaft 42 which is operated by a belt 43 from countershaft, M. The objects 32 are moved in the groove 34 by the travel of pins 33 with the sprocket chain so that they will move across the stage from right to left, and as the objects pass upwardly around sprocket wheel 39, the upper lead of the sprocket chain 37 is deflected in a downward direction by guide wheels, 44, so that the pins 36 will be withdrawn from engagement with the pins 33, and thus the objects 32 will be disconnected from the endless sprocket chain, whereby the objects 32 are allowed to rest at a time when they are hidden from view by the proscenium, D. When a number of the objects 32 accumulate at the left hand side of the stage, they will be forced one ahead of the other in an opposite direction across the stage and in the upper part of the groove 34, so that a series of the objects will be moved toward the right hand upper portion of the proscenium, and when the chain 37 passes around the sprocket wheel 38, then fingers 36 will engage with pins 33 so as to take up the objects 32 one after the other, and move them across the proscenium and in the view of the audience, the direction of the movement, when the objects are exposed, being from right to left.

In connection with the apparatus, I employ means for exhibiting merchandise so as to display the latter to view at certain times, and at other times to conceal the merchandise from view. This part of the invention embodies a carrier 45 in the form of a shelf attached to abracket 46, the latter having an arm 47 which is adapted to travel in a slot 48 provided in proscenium, D, said slot having the irregular form, part of which is shown at the left hand side of the proscenium in Fig. 1. The arm 47 is asso ciated with means adapted to impart motion to the merchandise carrier. In the example shown, said arm 47 is attached to an endless running cord or chain 49, positioned in the rear of the proscenium so as to be concealed from view. Said running cord passes over direction sheaves 50 supported at the rear of the proscenium, and it engages with a driving sheave or sprocket 51 that is operated from the endless sprocket chain 37, whereby motion is imparted to the running cord'49 for moving the carrier 45 downwardly, across, and upwardly with respect to, the proscenium and at each side thereof. By this means the merchandise placed upon the carrier 45 will be displayed to the view of the audience when the carrier is moving downwardly and upwardly with respect to the proscenium, and below the fly 51, but when the carrier is raised above the lower edge of the fly 51, then the carrier is moved lengthwise with respect to the proscenium so. as to again travel downwardly and upwardly upon the other or right hand side of the proscenium.

The operation is as follows. It is assumed that the flexible webs, F to J, inclusive, are coiled upon spools, L, and are running from left to right in Fig. 2 so as to be coiled upon spools, L, the spools, L, being driven by sprocket chain, M, and spools, L, being operated by transmission chain, 0, and driving chain, so that all the spools are rotating for the purpose of coiling the webs on spools, L, and uncoiling them from spools, L. Under these conditions the track,

U, is rotated by drum, on countershaft, "1V and this countershaft is operated from the motor shaft by straight belt, Q, driving clutch section, P. The shiftable clutch section, P is engaged with clutch section, P, so'that' the belt, Q, will operate to drive the shaft, M, in the proper direction. The clutch section, P is held in engagement with clutch section, P, by lever 22, the armature 23 of which is attracted by magnet 25 energized from the battery 18, the circuit closer 27 being held closed by one arm of said lever 22. The car, E, is moved by the travel of the track, U, to the limit permitted by hook, V, so that a projection, 6 of the car will be free from the circuit closer 14. The curtain, W, is in a raised position, and the curtain operating mechanism is in the position shown in Fig. 6, by reference to which it will be seen that the trip, Y is moved to the left so as to have one of its beveled faces in the path of the dog, Y, on

' the cord or chain, Y, which travels continuously in the direction indicated by the arrow so that the dog, Y, will move away from the projection, X, on the curtain operating cord, X. In the described positions of the parts the phonograph is silent, the'reproducer being at the left and in the position shown in Fig. 2.

When the movable webs are nearly unooiled from the spools, L, and correspondingly coiled upon spools, L, then the following operations should take place: The drop curtain lowered, vehicle, E, shifted from left to right, the shaft, M, should be stopped in order to arrest the motion of the webs and the endless track, U, and the phonograph started so as to play while the curtain is lowered; but when the phonograph completes the playing of the musical air, the movable webs and the endless track should be run in the opposite direction, the car should be anchored at the right side of the stage, and the phonograph stopped prior to raising the drop curtain. These operations are attained by the mechanism shown in Figs. 2, 10, and 11 asfollows: Assuming that the web, G, is coiled upon one spool, L, to the extent indicated by the dotted line, G in Fig. 11, the roller. 21 of lever 20 is pressed outwardly by the accumulation on the web, G, upon'said spool. This brings the contact, Y, into position to make contact, 1", send. the current from battery 18 throughmagnet, Yflwhereupon the trip, Y is moved to the position of Fig. 7 so that one of the beveled faces thereof is in the path of the dog, Y. Now, as the movable webs continuetobe coiled and the belt, Y, continues to operate, the dog, Y, will be moved from the position of Fig. '6 to the position of Fig. 7, and thus the dog, Y, on the next travel ofthe belt, Y, will be brought into engagement with the pro jection, X. The movementv of the dog, Y,

will so act on the projection, X, as to force it downwardly and so operate thecurtain cord, X, to lower the curtain, butwhen the dog and the projection reach the position of Fig. 8, the dog will shovethe projection out of its path, and thus release the dog from the projection so asto-allow the curtain to remain stationary and in a lowered position. At the same time that the parts are operated in the manner described to lower the curtain, the lever 20 acts on the lever 22 so asto bring the arm 24: thereof into-contact with the circuit closer 28, but while the curtain is being lowered, the jaw of the lever 20 will not engage with the stud 22 of the lever 22. During this time, the belt, Q, continues to drive the clutch section, P, and clutch, P, so as to impart, the motion to the endless track and the web's, but when the curtain is-lowered, the projections, to, will engage with the trip levers,V so that the latch, V, will be released fromthe car after the curtain is lowered. The track,

U, .will now operate to carry the car from.

the left hand position of the stage over to the right hand side thereof, and as the car assumes its position toward the right, it is engaged by the latch, V. The movement of the car'brings its otherprojection, 6 into contact with circuit closer 14 which is pressed to make the contact 15, andthus close a local circuit through conductor 16, phonograph motor.13, conductor 17 battery 18, and conductor 19 back to circuit closer 14. WVith the curtain lowered and the car anchored, the phonograph motor 13 operates to impart movement to the phonographrreproduceiyso as to. play the musical air, and by this time the endless webs v will have been completelyuncoiled fromspools, L, and wound upon spools, L, so that the lever 21 will be shifted to a, position forits jaw to act on stud22 ,thus moving lever 22 to a positionwhere clutch, P is in an idle position between clutch sections, P, P,

less track are stopped, although belts,'Q, Q, continue to be operated by motor shaft, Z).

When the phonograph completes its operation, the contact 31 on the reproducer makes the contact" 30, and a local circuit through magnet 26 is thus completed as .follows: Lever 22 having closed the two members of circuit closer '28 into contact with each other, current from battery 18 flows through conductor 19, magnet26, circuit closer 28, and a conductor 29 so as to energize magnet 26 and attract lever 22 for the purpose of completing the throw or movement of clutch, P from its idle position into engagement with clutch section, P, whereupon belt, Q, will drive countershaft, M, in an opposite direction for the purpose of reversing the direction of movement of track, U, and of the spools so as to wind the webs upon the spools, L, and unwind said webs from the spools, L. Then the track, U, is reversed the car, E, is moved slightly to the left so as to disengage its projection, 6 from circuit closer l4, and the scenery webs and the track travel from left to right.

When the curtain is in the lowered position, the trip, Y mm the position of Fig. 8, but to bring the parts into the position ready to raise the curtain, said trip, Y should be reversed to the positionof Fig. 9

by bringing contact, Y, to make contact, Y and energize magnet, Y

As the belt, Y, continues to travel, dog, Y, engages with one face of the trip, Y so as to shift the trip to the other side of the belt, Y, and when the dog is moved upwardly by the belt, Y, then said dog will engage beneath the projection, X, and operate to move said projection in an upward manner, thus pulling on the cord, X, and raising the curtain, W, so as to expose the car and the scenery webs through the proscenium opening.

It will be understood that the phonograph is equipped with means, ordinary in the construction of instruments of this character, for returning the reproducer back to normal position when the curtain is raised and the phonograph is silent, but when the car is shifted from right to left so as to restore the car to the position of Fig. 2, then the other projection, 6 of said car will engage the circuit closer i l and make contact 15 for the purpose of again operating the phonograph when the curtain is again dropped.

From the preceding description it will be seen that all the mechanisms are operated from the motor shaft, the belt, Q, driving the countershaft, M, in one direction so as to move the track and the scenery webs to the right, whereas the belt, Q, drives the counter-shaft in an opposite direction, and imparts movement to the several parts so as to move the track and the webs to the left.

Having thus fully described the invention, what I claim as new, and desire to secure by Letters Patent is:

1. In an apparatus of the class described,

a m vable background, a movable track, axe

vehicle the wheels of which engage said track and are adapted to be rotated thereby, said track being adapted to move the vehicle when the latter is not restrained against movement, and anchoring means for precluding movement of the vehicle with said track, whereby said vehicle is given the appearance of moving.

2. In an apparatus of the class described, a movable background, a movable endless track, a vehicle the wheels of which engage said track and are adapted to be rotated thereby, anchoring means for said vehicle, and means adapted to disengage the anchoring means whereby the track is allowed to move the vehicle.

3. In an apparatus of the class described, a plurality of movable webs, a movable track, a vehicle the wheels of which engage frictionally with the track, means for anchoring the vehicle, a drop curtain, and means operated by said curtain for operating the vehicle anchoring means.

4. In an apparatus of the class described, a plurality of movable webs, a drop curtain, a vehicle, means for imparting movement to the vehicle, means for anchoring the vehicle when the curtain is in raised position and means for releasing the vehicle whereby the movement imparting means is free to opcrate said vehicle.

5. In an apparatus of the class described, a plurality of movable webs, a vehicle, spools upon which the webs are adapted to be coiled and uncoiled, an endless track, reversible driving mechanism for operating the spools and the endless track, and means operated by the varying size of one of the spools for reversing the operation of said driving mechanism.

6. In an apparatus of the class described, a plurality of movable scenery webs of different heights and positioned one in rear of the other, spools upon which the webs are adapted to be coiled and uncoiled, a countershaft, means operated by the countershaft for rotating said spools, a drive shaft, straight and crossed belts intermediate the drive shaft and the countershaft, a shiftable clutch, and means operated by an increase or decrease in the diameter of one of the spools for operating the clutch.

7 In an apparatus of the class described,

a proscenium, a plurality of webs positioned in the rear of the proscenium, said webs being of different heights and provided with scenic representations, a vehicle, and objects in simulation of miniature aerocrafts, said objects being movable relative to the webs.

5 Webs positioned one in rear of the other,

: a a meme;

'8. In an apparatus of the class described, aorossthe prosceniunmnd above the Vehicle. a proscenium, a vehicle in the rear of" the In testimony whereof I have signed my 10 proscenium, a track upon which the vehicle name to this specification in the presence is adapted to travel, a plurality of scenery oftwo subscribing Witnesses.

HENRY REIOHENBAGH. said Webs being of different heights, means Witnesses:

for imparting motion to said Webs, and ob- H. I.. BERNHARD,. jects in simulation of 'aerocrafts movable JAS. H..GR1FFIN.

Copies of this patentmay be obtained for live cents each, .by addressing the Commissioner of I-acentn Washington, D. 0." 

